The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1887-11-26
An ADDRESS
10 tiae Democratic Voters of
VernHiEf1R Parish.

care now in the midst Of heat
ed contest going on within the ranks
of the Democratic party. In this
struggle between the two wings of
the party, to secure the prize OF tie
next gubernatorial nomination. much
bitterness has been ~ongendercd. In
fact the contest has been carried to
such extreme lengths, that it is be
ginning to assume a suicidal aspect.
The newspaper organs of the re-
spectigc factions r pouring forth
daily and weekly contributions of
campaign slime ard SANDER, aimed
ct their opponents. Bitter personal
charges and recritliaa.ions, are be,
ing hurled at each other by public
men Of high standing. And the pee
pie generally throughout the State,
are becoming infected with the
fanaticism Of partiZan prejudice and
hate.
Such severe wounds arc being in
ficted, and such bitter animosities
are being aroused, that 1t will be
exceedingly difficult to again 'har-
monte the party. And there is
great danger that The gubernatorial
nomination. no matter which faction
secures it, will to a large extent, be
robbed Of its moral force, and will
not be respected by the losing fac
ton.
1t is time for Moughtfui men to
call a halt; aud to calmly and dis
~passionately consider the consequent
ces that must result from such a
frantic factional fght.
Party Generalization must inevi-
tably easuc from this vindictise
strife. "a house that is divided
against itself cauno: stand" Better
counsels should prevail.
One Or the other, Of the two prom
inent candidates now before the neo-
pie, will get the nomination. What
are you going to do about it, If it
happens to be the ma whom you
have denounced II the reckless
charges Of fraud and corruption,
preferred agains: she followers Of
each candidate, are true 9Th res,
pect to either faction, and that fac
ton gains control OF the convention,
are You going TO raIify a nomination
secured by such means?
4 great many persons will find
themselves il an awkward dilemma.
They viii either have to s%tul'i;y
themselves by voting for u mar
whom they have already pronounced
unfit for the Office, or else the party
will lose their votes.
Really the Democratic gans fred
in this campaign are doing as much
execution at the breech az at the
|muzz!e.
This warfare o; abuse must cease,
or it will disrupt the party.
When mud shagmg becomes the
order Of the day, good people gener-
ally retire. They DO not care to
take part i'll q campaign Of calunny.
Is it . matter. of wonder, that sucn
people can hardly be prevailed upon
to attend primaries or other party
meetings? Are they to be blamed
for holding aloof under such circum,
stances Scarcely.
Yet the party asall times, parti.
cular!y now. stands il need OF the
counsel and assistance Of this very
class Of citizens.
Fellow-citizens, let me urge mon
you the necessity OF using your infu-
ence to raise politics to a higher AID
purer plane. Intolerance is the
most dangerous enemy Of party dis
cipline and success. Due regard
mast be had for the views OF others.
Men should not be denounced and
villihed because they differ in opin-
ion with ns, and refuse to spbyert
their Judgment 70 ours. It Should
always be borne in mind tina: this is
a free government, in which every
man is entitled to think and act for
himself.
1t behooves all good citizens, who
have the interests of the party truly
at heart, to unite in an eaor. 10 Sc
cure and maintain harmony Of &C
ton in the Democratic cause
We want DO bloody shirt" sgh;a
in the ranks Of the Democratic party
In Ahic nnn:rL